NY prisons addressing contraband crisis

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision handed down new safety and security measures. That’s because, according to a DOCCS spokesperson, an intoxicated incarcerated person bit a staff member during a use of force incident at Otisville Correctional Facility in Orange County on September 23.

The measures are responding to a “crisis situation” involving a “spate of illnesses to corrections officers and inmates alike from unknown substances.” Department spokesperson Nicole March confirmed that three corrections officers and one National Guard member felt light-headed and experienced other symptoms after the bite.

That’s why DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III issued memos to staff and the incarcerated population outlining a new package room procedure effective as of September 23. In it, Martuscello said new measures would intercept “illicit substances from coming into our correctional facilities, which have resulted in overdoses, deaths, anxiety, and violent behaviors against staff and/or other incarcerated individuals within our facilities.”

Now, packages of printed material and tobacco products will be held for up to six days for extra screening. The memo said DOCCS will work with incarcerated people and experts to develop more long-term contraband strategies, including with district attorneys on prosecutions for illicit substances.

DOCCS will be using police dogs from OSI to perform checks to prevent contraband. They said canine operations led to 395 visitor arrests in 2024 and 160 visitor arrests so far this year.

Martuscello said that if the drug issue persists, DOCCS will consider eliminating tobacco deliveries altogether. In that case, they’d only be available through the commissary.

All packages for incarcerated people must be bought from and delivered by a vendor. No packages may be brought in during visits.

This adds to screening for legal mail—correspondence with lawyers, legal counsel, or the court. All general mail is photocopied, and the copies are delivered to the people who are incarcerated. Every correctional facility has installed body image scanners for staff, volunteers, visitors, and incarcerated people. Anyone can decline a body scan, but a refusal results in a non-contact visit.

There are some exceptions to the body scanner requirement. According to the DOCCS website, pregnant individuals and those under 18 don’t have to undergo a scan. Those with medical conditions can apply for an exemption in advance by submitting forms signed by their health care provider. Lawyers and other legal visitors are also supposed to be exempt.

The four staff members were evaluated and treated at an outside hospital, March said. She added that the Office of Special Investigations was dispatched to the facility and that their investigation is ongoing.

The department handed down the new policies to package room staff, the incarcerated population, and all facility superintendents to post in staff areas on September 23. DOCCS posted the new policies publicly on social media on September 24.

March said DOCCS has no plans to reverse the policies, noting that the changes have been implemented over time to help improve safety for both staff and incarcerated people.

Take a look at the social media notice below: